A who’s who of politicians in the City of Newton recommends donations to these entities to help people in Puerto Rico:

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Contributions to these organizations will have a direct impact on the lives of those currently suffering.

Global Giving is the largest global crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country. This fund provides relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild. You can donate here.

Direct Relief‘s medical assistance programs equip health professionals working in resource-poor communities to meet the challenges of diagnosing, treating, and caring for people. Direct Relief is on the ground in Puerto Rico to provide direct assistance to the medical community. You can donate here. To donate to Puerto Rico, use the the drop-down menu.

Operation USA provides direct assistance to children and families affected by natural disasters. All donations at this time will directly help children and families as they recover. You can donate here. To donate to Puerto Rico, use the the drop-down menu.

We ask that you consider these organizations when looking to make a difference in the lives of those in Puerto Rico who need immediate assistance from their fellow citizens.

Sincerely,

Mayor Setti Warren

Senator Cynthia Creem
Representative Ruth Balser
Representative Kay Khan
Councilor Susan Albright
Councilor Jake Auchincloss
Councilor Lisle Baker
Councilor Dick Blazar
Councilor Vicky Danberg
Councilor Ruthanne Fuller
Councilor Lenny Gentile
Councilor Ted Hess Mahan
Councilor David Kalis
Councilor Alison Leary
Councilor Scott Lennon
Councilor Rick Lipof
Councilor Emily Norton
Councilor John Rice
School Committee Member Diana Fisher Gomberg
Newton Democratic City Committee
Newton Republican City Committee

Starting November 1 residents will be able to use a mental health referral service called Interface operated out of William James College, thanks to a contract initiated by the schools.  Interface maintains an up-to-date catalogue of  providers, insurance requirements, and patient openings.  At the presentation on Tuesday, the Interface founder stated that 98% of callers to Interface are connected to a provider within four days.  I believe the yearly contract was only $10,500.  Dr. David Worthsley stated that the service would save him huge amounts of time, as he currently maintains and updates similar records.  Interface is about ten years old and currently services fifty-five municipalities in Massachusetts.

The blasting notice below will be of interest to those near the Larkins’ 40B on Hospital Road.

The Larkins’ financing is reportedly recently resolved, and they are therefore moving forward.

From Susan Maritan –

My dear friend and neighbor is sending this email out to friends in Medfield and beyond.

Would you mind publishing this on your blog to help her get the word out?

Many thanks.

Susan

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Dear friends,

Muchas gracias.  So many of you have expressed your love and concern for our families and for our fellow Puerto Ricans.  We are so very grateful.

It is a devastating time for Puerto Rico – no power, very limited water (or none in some cases), flooding, and very extensive damage to the island’s infrastructure, including communications, roads, hospitals, schools, and homes.  Many people have lost everything.

Just weeks ago, after Hurricane Irma, Puerto Ricans served as a major lifeline for the other islands affected, literally giving away many of their own provisions – a living example of “Mi casa es Su casa.”  Before Hurricane Maria hit, we heard from friends and relatives that it was nearly impossible to find bottled water, gas and batteries in Puerto Rico, as so much of these provisions had been donated to relief efforts in neighboring islands.

As Expatriates Puertoricans  a group of us want to replicate that generosity and provide whatever assistance we can as they face the arduous task of rebuilding their lives.  Since communication and information is limited, and the needs are being assessed, we are doing it in Phases.

PLEASE, we need your help and participation, to the extent your heart, treasure and skill set permit.  Consider the following measures:

1.     Donating  NOWto either a charity of your choice or to one of the charities listed below. EVERY dollar counts.  To put the daunting task of recovery in context, please bear in mind that the per capita income in Puerto Rico is only $18,626, while Mississippi’s (the poorest of the U.S. states) is $40,593.
2. 2.    Volunteering to be part of a relief effort .  As soon as we are able to, some of us will be going to Puerto Rico for an extended period to assess what are the greatest needs to roll up our sleeves and help.  Rebuilding lives will take a very, very long time. The kind people of Puerto Rico need help and expertise in many areas.  Should you be able to volunteer please, let us know or signup with an organization of your choice. As we learn more, we will share information on these opportunities.
3. Donating goods: Due to logistics issue (i.e. lack of diesel fuel and personnel to transport, poor access to areas) we have been asked to hold off on the collection of goods until a later date.

We WILL remain focused on how best to assist in addressing recovery needs, whether it involves additional fundraising efforts, the collection of goods, or an on-site relief project.

On behalf of our family, friends, and neighbors in Puerto Rico, we thank you again for your kind words, your prayers and for donating to the relief effort.. whatever time, talent, or treasure your means permit. Please forward this email to your friends and neighbors.

Warmly,

Lissa and David Potts

Lissapotts97@gmail.com

List of Puerto Rico organizations fundraising for Puerto Rico (SOURCE: losambulantes.com)

United for Puerto Rico – PRFAA www.unitedforpuertorico.com or www.unidosforpuertorico.com

United for Puerto Rico is a 501(c)(3) organization whose staff is working on a full volunteer basis. The funds donated to the organization go directly to help Puerto Rican citizens rebuild their homes. Donations will focus on necessary construction materials to rebuild homes and also provide the labor which is 100% volunteers. To ensure full accountability and transparency of these donations, the organization is working with Microsoft and Evertec Inc. to establish a platform to track how the organization spends its funds. The organization, United for Puerto Rico, was developed by the office of the First Lady Beatriz Rossello and is promoted by the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. The Government of Puerto Rico in conjunction with federal authorities are doing assessments of the relief supplies both emergency and construction that are needed.

Ricky Martin for Puerto Rico   www.youcaring.com/rickymartin

Dear friends, Puerto Rico is going through one of the toughest times in history, and the island desperately needs us. Hurricane Maria left devastating damage leaving thousands of people affected.  For this reason, I decided to create this page to collect funds to provide the basic needs and rebuild all that was lost. My donation of $100,000 is already in, and I know I can count on your support. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your invaluable and much-needed contribution. – Ricky Martin

Centros Sor Isolina Ferré   www.csifpr.org/donaciones   

Sister Isolina Ferré was born in Ponce to a wealthy family and used her influence to established charitable clinics, youth centers and educational and empowerment establishments. She is known as Mother Teresa of Puerto Rico she began her work in the poor area known as La Playa de Ponce in 1969 in what is known today as Centro Sor Isolina Ferré.  The center serves a generational range with multiple social, educational, economical and spiritual needs.

Fundación de Niños San Jorge http://www.fundacionsanjorge.org

Non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well-being of children in Puerto Rico.  The foundation assist children from families with limited economic resources diagnosed with cancer or physical malformations.  The services include patient services, school programs and psychological and psychiatric programs.

Washington Street, Newton Re-imagined

This is a video that shows how Washington Street, where my office is located in Newton (across from Our Lady’s), can be dramatically transformed for the better – added bike lanes, planting strips, and parks, plus greater traffic flow volumes despite reducing traffic from four lanes to three lanes.  Not sure if there are lessons for Medfield here with respect to Rte. 109 and Rte. 27, given the vast differences in scale, but the video is really instructive.

https://vimeo.com/233902183

Medfield Energy Committee

June 8, 2017 Meeting Minutes

Attending:     Marie Nolan, Fred Bunger; Chair., Fred Davis, Jerry McCarty; Medfield Director of Facilities, and Lee Alinsky

Meeting called to order at 7:35pm in the Town DPW Conference Room.

The minutes for April 13 and May 12, 2017 accepted as written.

At the outset, Fred Davis made it known to the committee that he recused himself from participation in any LED streetlight project voting as he was concerned that there be no appearance of any conflict of interest issues.  Jerry then began his report to the Committee.

776. The LED Street Light Project The committee was then brought up to date on the status of the streetlight project.  Jerry indicated that the Town’s lighting consultant, George Woodbury of Lightsmart Consulting had prepared a proposal for the audit of 347 street lights at a cost of $2,776.00.  A motion was made and seconded that the Town enter into a contract with Lightsmart Consulting not to exceed $3,000.00 for the purpose of this audit.  The motion was passed unanimously.   MAPC has given the Town (Jerry) a preliminary estimate of ~ $22,400.00 incentives for a total of: $116,000+/- for the purchase, re-lamping and installation of LED lights.

413. The High School / Middle School HVAC Re-commissioning Project           We are “dealing” with RISE for the re-commissioning.  We are waiting for cost amounts for the TRANE equipment.  EMS Recommissioning $ for the HS: ~72,413.  EMS Recommissioning $ for the Blake MS: ~$38,300.  Audit and Engineering for DHW Replacement: ~$6,875.  TOTAL:  ~$117,588.

875. ASHRAE Level II energy audit for domestic hot water at Blake MS should cost ~ $7,875.

Roof-mounting of solar panels on the DPW building   There is still an on-going issue regarding the additional loading weight on the roof of the DPW building.  The panels and support framing cannot be installed until we are assured that the roof can successfully carry the additional weight.  The design engineer has been notified regarding this issue and has been asked to respond to The Town’s concern.  To date (6/8/17) we have had no answer.

MASS Power Forward        Fred Bunger suggested that the MPF checklist might be a good model for the Committee to follow going forward.

Other Items that were discussed…

The Energy Institute            Has a conversion program for green-house carbon footprint.

Perhaps Maciej Konieczny can lead a “seminar” on the Energy Insight program.

The Committee should have a conversation with Mike (Sullivan) and/or the Bd. Of Selectmen re: funding a new Energy Manager to replace Andrew Seaman.

Energy Committee Archives (On Google Drive?)          Marie indicated that there was progress but more folders were needed.  Perhaps she would prepare a short presentation for the next Committee meeting.

Fred Bunger announced that he will shortly be leaving Medfield (Booooo!) and that the Committee needed to elect a new Chairman.  Lee Alinsky was elected.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Alinsky

Lee427@comcast.net

The Town of Medfield just got a new actuarial report on its Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities (copy attached).  OPEB is mainly for future health insurance costs for current and retired town employees, but also includes unfunded pensions for those same individuals.

GASB recently required that municipalities include actuarial numbers for their future OPEB obligations as part of their financial reporting, and municipalities have mainly all shared huge unfunded debts for these future OPEB costs.  Wellesley is one exception, which has fully funded its OPEB.

The whole actuarial report, which shows a ca. $43m. liability for the Town of Medfield, is available here:

20131007-Stone Consulting-OPEB Actuarial Valuation-Final Report

These are a few of the pages that summarize the report:

Photos taken and shared by Colleen Sullivan –

Medfield Foundation booth – www.MedfieldFoundation.org

Medfield Youth Outreach’s Dawn Alcott, Chelsea Goldstein-Walsh, and Liz Sandeman womaning the Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) booth. www.MedfieldCares.org

Note the “02052” hats which Jack Conway Realtors are selling for $10, with all proceeds going to Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP).

The Town of Medfield insures through the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s insurer, the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Agency (MIIA).  MIIA sent Mike Sullivan a flyer in advance of this week’s hurricaines with telephone numbers for claims, but also with a description of an interesting service MIIA provides us:

Additional Response Services – Agility Recovery
As many of you know, MIIA has contracted with Agility Recovery. Agility is a national disaster recovery organization focusing on four primary functional needs in the event of a disaster. These four areas include:

• Power – Emergency generators available for deployment within hours
• Computer Systems – Computers, servers, fax machines and printers
• Office Space – Mobile office space to fit any need
• Communications – Satellite connections to restore phone, internet and data

Access to Agility’s services are available to all MIIA members regardless of whether there is an insured loss or not. In the event of an insured loss, MIIA claims will typically coordinate these services with Agility.

This article on Medfield’s stalwart volunteer (All Night Graduation Party co-chair and Medfield Foundation youth leadership coordinator, to name a few) Tracey Rogers is from the September newsletter from the Foundation for MetroWest –